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Grizzlies Opening Night details and “Grizz Week” Events

The Memphis Grizzlies will tip-off their 2015-16 campaign on Wednesday, Oct. 28 at 7 p.m. when they host LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers for Opening Night, presented by First Tennessee Bank. In addition to the return of Grizzlies basketball in the Bluff City – also signaling the 15th season in Memphis – fans will have ample opportunities to celebrate their home team well before the opening tip.

Fans are encouraged to arrive early and enjoy the Opening Night Party on the Plaza, presented by Bud Light, from 5-7 p.m. The festivities include live music from Motel Mirrors (5-6 p.m.); DJ Witnesse (6-6:20 p.m.) and Memphis’ own Al Kapone (6:20-6:50 p.m.). Pregame festivities will include Bud Light’s Mobile Biergarten on the outdoor Plaza, a fully-functional outdoor beer bar complete with four 42” televisions, 16 fixed mobile bar stools, an interactive digital kiosk and phone charging station. (Must be 21 for entry.) The Grizzlies’ Mobile Merch truck by adidas will also be parked on the Plaza, offering the latest in adidas Grizzlies gear. The Opening Night Party on the Plaza will continue with a postgame concert from Lord T & Eloise on the outdoor plaza.

Once indoors, all fans in attendance will receive a 2015-16 Grizzlies Full Season Magnet Schedule, presented by First Tennessee. In-game entertainment includes a performance from iHeartMemphis (“Hit the Quan” sensation) and the return of Legendary NBA Entertainer, “The Red Panda Acrobat.” Panda will be making her triumphant return to the league for a special halftime performance, her first NBA performance since injuries forced her to announce her retirement after 20+ seasons. Her comeback tour will continue across NBA arenas this season, but starts in Memphis, where team entertainment staff encouraged Panda during her absence from the game. Her appearance fulfills a promise that she made saying if she ever returned to the NBA circuit, she’d come back to Memphis first.

Well before tip-off, the Grizzlies will host several “Grizz Week” events throughout Memphis, beginning with today’s RiverFit Re-Launch at Tom Lee Park. Free fitness classes are available from 5:45-6:30 p.m., and activations on the volleyball courts and soccer fields. The event will tip-off at 5:30 p.m. with opening remarks from some of the project’s initial innovators.

The Grizzlies’ Claw Crew will be on-site at the Annual Olive Branch Fall Festival in Olive Branch, Miss. on Saturday, Oct. 24 bringing the Grizzlies’ brand of excitement to GrizzNation in DeSoto County and north Mississippi. Prizes and fan experiences are up for grabs from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Grizzlies’ center Marc Gasol will host select Grizzlies MVPs at the Mid-South Corn Maze that bears (pun intended) his likeness on Sunday, Oct. 25 at 4 p.m., also known as Grizzlies Day at the Maze. Join Claw Crew and Grizz Girls for face painting, inflatables, music and more from 4-6 p.m. that afternoon.

The final player event before tip-off is the Grizzlies’ 14th Annual Tip-Off Luncheon on Monday, Oct. 26 at 11:45 a.m. Limited tickets and tables are still available to the first chance to welcome back the entire team of players and coaches and talk with them about the upcoming season. Fans can register online or by filling out the attached registration form. All proceeds benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®.

On Tuesday, Oct. 27 and Wednesday, Oct. 28, fans should be on the lookout for the Claw Crew street team at major intersections around town for the chance to score free tickets to Opening Night. Liking “Memphis Grizzlies” on Facebook or following @memgrizz on Twitter is the best way to be tipped off about times and locations.

Fans who want to support the Memphis Grizzlies by purchasing 2015-16 Season Tickets, 15- or 22-Game Packs can do so by calling (901) 888-HOOP or going online to grizzlies.com. Single-Game tickets for all Grizzlies games, including Opening Night, Oct. 28 versus the Cleveland Cavaliers, are still available now. For more information on the Grizzlies, ‘like’ Memphis Grizzlies on Facebook or follow on Twitter (@memgrizz).